Automotive safety device

ABSTRACT

An automotive safety device is provided including a housing and a removable support assembly having a base and a plurality of support members pivotally attached to the base and moveable between a first, closed position and a second, open position. In the second position, the support members allow the device to be freestanding. A first light source is arranged on the housing such that the device may function as an emergency roadside light. The device further includes a tire pressure gauge, including a pressure sensor, a processor, and a display, wherein the processor is configured to output a value on the display indicative of a measured pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/804,210, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/719,460,filed Oct. 28, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to multifunction automotivesafety devices.

BACKGROUND

Safe and efficient operation of a motor vehicle requires both propermaintenance and equipment, including tools useful in emergencysituations. For example, disabled vehicles on a roadway present aserious safety hazard. For this reason, proper emergency lighting foralerting approaching traffic (e.g. road flares), as well as flashlights,are useful safety tools that an automobile owner may wish to have at hisor her disposal. Other tools, such a safety hammer for breakingautomotive glass, as well as a cutting blade for removing amalfunctioning or otherwise irremovable seatbelt, have becomeincreasingly popular to carry onboard a vehicle. These tools may providea means for driver and passenger egress from a vehicle that has been,for example, damaged or submerged underwater. Likewise, periodicallychecking a vehicle's tire pressures to ensure proper inflation can leadto decreased fuel consumption, in addition to providing a measure ofsafety. Thus, a tire pressure gauge is also a popular tool for a driverto have.

Previous attempts to bring these and other tools to a driver haveconsisted of automobile safety kits comprising one or more of theseitems stored in a common container. However, these kits are usuallybulky, requiring storage in, for example, the trunk of a car, whereinaccess thereto may be limited in emergency situations.

Alternative systems for providing immediate access to a variety ofuseful automotive safety tools are desired.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an automotive safety deviceis provided. The device includes a housing having a plurality of supportmembers pivotally attached thereto and moveable between a first, closedposition and a second, open position. In the first position, the supportmembers are arranged along an outer surface of the housing. In thesecond position, the support members extend outward and provide for thedevice to be freestanding. A first light source is arranged on thehousing such that the device may function as an emergency roadsidelight. The device further includes a tire pressure gauge, including apressure sensor, a processor, and a display, wherein the processor isconfigured to output a value on the display indicative of a measuredpressure.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-describedautomotive safety device further includes a flashlight, as well as anemergency hammer and seatbelt cutting blade integrated into the housing.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety light isprovided. The light includes a housing and a plurality of supportmembers moveable between a first position along the exterior surface ofthe housing and a second position extending from the housing andconfigured to maintain the housing in a free-standing position. Firstand second light sources are provided on the housing for emitting lightboth radially away from the housing, and generally axially with respectto the housing. At least one processor is provided and configured tocontrol the output of the first light source.

In yet another embodiment, an automotive safety device is providedincluding a housing having a support base removably attached thereto.The support base is attachable to the housing in a first configurationhaving a first orientation with respect to the housing, and attachablein a second configuration having a second orientation with respect tothe housing. A plurality of support members are pivotally attached tothe support base and moveable between a first position and a secondposition. The support members may be arranged along an outer surface ofthe housing in the first position when the support base is attached tothe housing in the first configuration, and may extend outward from thehousing in the second position to define a freestanding supportstructure when the support base is attached to the housing in the secondconfiguration. The device also may comprise a first light sourcearranged on the housing, and a processor arranged within the housing andin communication with the first light source. The processor isconfigured to control the output of the first light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive safety device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the present disclosure ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of the present disclosure of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present disclosureof FIG. 1, having support members shown in an open or deployed position.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of thepresent disclosure of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a partial perspective views showing a portion of asupport member release and locking mechanism according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are additional partial perspective views showing aportion of the support member release and locking mechanism of theembodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary sensory and controlcircuit arrangement according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11D are perspective views showing an embodiment of anautomotive safety device according to the present disclosure having aremovable support assembly including support members attached to aremovable support base.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the exemplary removablesupport assembly illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in pressure measuringdevices and light emitting devices. However, because such elements arewell known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a betterunderstanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements isnot provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all suchvariations and modifications known to those skilled in the art.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that the various embodiments of the invention, althoughdifferent, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Furthermore, aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein inconnection with one embodiment may be implemented within otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement ofindividual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the invention. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appendedclaims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range ofequivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, likenumerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout severalviews.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include automotive safety deviceswhich incorporate a plurality of useful features into a singleconvenient package. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes agenerally elongated housing having a built-in flashlight assembly,including a first light source arranged at an end of the housing andconfigured to emit light in a generally axial direction with respectthereto. The device further includes an emergency lighting assembly(i.e. an emergency roadside light or beacon), including a second lightsource arranged on a side of the housing and configured to emit light ina direction generally radially away from the housing.

The device further includes a plurality of support members, or supportlegs, pivotally attached to the housing. The support members aremoveable between a first, or closed position, and a second, open ordeployed position. In the first position, the support members areoriented in a low-profile manner with respect to the housing (e.g.axially along an outer surface of the housing). In the second position,the support members are oriented in such a manner as to providefreestanding support of the device. In the second position, the supportmembers may extend away from the housing to provide freestanding supportof the device. In the second position, the support members may beconfigured to provide freestanding support by maintaining the devicestanding, with the housing having its long axis at a generally fixedrelation, such as generally orthogonal, to a surface on which ends ofthe support members are resting. In the second position, the supportmembers define a freestanding support structure. The support members maybe releasably secured in the first and second positions via an actuatorarranged on the housing. When deployed, the support members and theemergency lighting arrangement may act as a replacement for conventionalroadside flares. While moveable support members will be generally shownand described herein, it should be understood that other embodiments mayinclude support members that are fixed in an open position.

In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, a device includesa removable support assembly, including a plurality of support membersor support legs pivotally attached to a support base. The support baseis removably attached to an end portion of a housing of the device.Similar to the embodiments described above, the support members aremoveable between a first or closed position, and a second or openposition. In one embodiment, the support assembly may be attached to thehousing in a first configuration such that when operating the device as,for example, a flashlight or safety hammer, support members arranged inthe first position are oriented in a low-profile manner with respect tothe housing (e.g. axially along an outer surface of the housing). Inorder to utilize the device as a free-standing emergency light, thesupport members may be biased (e.g. rotated) into the second position,and the support assembly reoriented into a second configuration withrespect to the housing. More specifically, the support base and supportmembers are removed or detached from an end of the housing, reorientedwith respect to the housing (e.g. inverted), and reattached thereto.Once reattached, the support members are positioned so as to providefreestanding support by maintaining the device standing, with thehousing having its long axis at a generally fixed relation, such asgenerally orthogonal, to a surface on which ends of the support membersare resting. The support members may be held in either the first of thesecond positions via one or more mechanical stops incorporated into thesupport base and/or the support members.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the above devices mayalso comprise additional features, such as an emergency hammer andseatbelt cutter, as well as a tire pressure gauge packaged on and/orwithin the housing. In this way, embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a convenient, multifunction emergency tool that may be stored inthe passenger compartment of a vehicle so as to allow for ease of accessin the event of an emergency.

One or more of the support members may include apertures having profilesto permit the support members to pass over one or more of the additionalfeatures when the support members are in the first, closed, position. Byway of example, one or more support members may have defined thereinapertures suitable to pass over one or more of the emergency hammer,seatbelt cutter, nozzle of a tire pressure gauge, display for displayingtire pressure data, emergency lighting arrangement and user interfacedevices. The apertures may generally correspond in profile to therespective emergency hammer, guard of the seatbelt cutter, nozzle,display, emergency lighting arrangement and user interface devices,sufficient clearance being provided in the apertures to clear therespective elements as the support members rotate.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, an automotive safety device 10according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.Device 10 includes a housing 12 having a generally elongated profile,which housing is sized and contoured to be held in the hand of a user.Housing 12 comprises a first end 14 and a second end 16. In theillustrated embodiment, first end 14 is configured to accommodate all orpart of a flashlight 18, including one or more light sources 19 (seeFIG. 4), such as LEDs configured to emit light in a generally axialdirection along axis x between first and second ends 14, 16 with respectto housing 12.

Second end 16 of housing 12 may include an emergency hammer head 30arranged on a first side thereof. Hammer head 30 may include a hardenedsteel or other metal head having a point formed thereon. Hammer head 30,in conjunction with housing 12, forms an emergency hammer which may beutilized by a vehicle operator or passenger to break automotive glass incase of an emergency, such as to break a window of a vehicle forproviding emergency egress. Second end 16 also features an emergencycutting tool 11 useful for cutting away, for example, a seatbelt, in theevent that one is not able to detach the belt in a conventional manner.As implemented, cutting tool 11 comprises a blade portion fixedlyattached to housing 12 (e.g. blade 36, FIG. 2), as well as a protectiveguard 35 which may be integrally formed with housing 12.

Device 10 may further comprise a tire pressure gauge, including a nozzle32 arranged on a second side of housing 12, opposite the first side(FIG. 2). Nozzle 32 is arranged in communication with a pressure sensor(e.g. pressure sensor 64, FIG. 7) and adapted to engage with and open avalve (e.g. a needle or Schrader valve) of a pneumatic tire valve stemin a conventional manner for providing a fluid communication path so asto provide pressurized fluid to the pressure sensor. The output of thepressure sensor may be provided to a processing arrangement, and adisplay 21 (FIG. 1) for providing a visual indication of the tirepressure to a user. In the illustrated embodiment, display 21 isarranged on a control panel 20 on the first side of housing 12. Ascontrol panel 20, including display 21, is arranged generally on anopposite side of housing 12 to nozzle 32, the user may engage a tirevalve stem using nozzle 32 and readily read a measured tire pressure ondisplay 21. As control panel 20, including display 21, is located awayfrom second end 16 of housing 12 and thus axially separated from nozzle32 by about one half the length of housing 12, the user may readily holdthe housing 12 near second end 16 to position nozzle 32 on a tire valvestem, while display 21 is visible and not covered by the user's hand.Control panel 20 further includes a plurality of user-activated buttons22, 22′, 22″ for operating additional device features as will be setforth in detail herein.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, device 10 includes an emergencylighting assembly 15. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, emergencylighting assembly 15 is arranged generally on the second side of housing12, and may comprise a plurality of light sources 17, such as LEDs, forproviding bright, high-visibility lighting. Emergency lighting assembly15 may feature a translucent cover 13 arranged over light sources 17. Inone embodiment, cover 13 is colored, for example, red or orange, foralerting approaching traffic to an emergency situation when lightsources 17 are illuminated. Cover 13 may also be textured such thatlight generated by light sources 17 is diffused or refracted in adesired radiation pattern, increasing the visibility of device 10.

Light sources 17 of emergency lighting assembly 15 may operate in anynumber of modes of operation, including continuous output, flashingsequences, and the like. Emergency lighting assembly 15 is arranged inan elongated manner commencing near first end 14 of housing 12. Further,while the exemplary emergency lighting assembly 15 is shown as arrangedon a single side of device 10, it should be understood that embodimentsof the present disclosure may comprise an emergency lighting assemblyarranged on additional sides of device 10, including lighting which isarranged continuously around a circumference of device 10, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also include providing areflective exterior surface on one or more faces of housing 12. Forexample, reflective tape, reflective paint or other reflective materialsmay be applied to and caused to adhere to all of or portions of theouter surface of housing 12, including as multiple elongated strips ofreflective tape, paint or other material extending at least a portion ofthe length of housing 12 between its respective ends. In embodiments,reflective materials, such as particles of reflective metals or othermaterials may be integrated into housing 12, such as by being includedin a plastic material from which housing 12 is molded. Reflectiveparticles may in embodiments be applied to an outer surface of housing12 after molding. Reflective materials on an outer surface of housing 12improve visibility of device 10, even in the event emergency lightingassembly 15 malfunctions.

Device 10 further comprises a support structure, enabling device 10 totake on a freestanding configuration when used, for example, in anemergency lighting application. In the exemplary embodiment, the supportstructure comprises three support members or legs 24, 26, 28, eachpivotally attached on a first end thereof to housing 12, at housingsecond end 16. Support members 24, 26, 28 are moveable between a first,or closed position (see FIGS. 1-5), and a second, deployed or openposition (see FIGS. 6-9B). In the first position, support members 24,26, 28 are oriented generally axially along an outer surface of housing12. In one exemplary embodiment, support members 24, 26, 28 may bearranged in complementary recesses 61 (see FIG. 6) formed in the outersurface of housing 12. Support member 24 may comprise one or moreapertures formed therein which correspond in profile to hammer head 30and the seatbelt cutter such that support member 24 may be maintained inthe closed position without being obstructed by these features. Thus,with support members 24, 26, 28 in the first position, device 10 isconfigured for storage with minimal additional volume required toaccommodate support members 24, 26, 28. With support members 24, 26, 28in the first position, device 10 may readily be maneuvered and grippedby a user when employed as any one of a tire pressure gauge, flashlight,hammer and seatbelt cutter.

The length of support members 24, 26, 28 is substantially less than thelength of housing 12. Thus, between distal ends of support members 24,26, 28 and housing first end 14 there is a portion of exterior surfaceof housing 12. Control panel 20, including display 21, may be arrangedon the portion of exterior surface intermediate the distal end ofsupport member 24 and first end 14 of housing 12.

In the second position, support members 24, 26, 28 are oriented in sucha manner as to provide freestanding support for device 10. Morespecifically, respective support members 24, 26, 28 are spaced generally120° from one another about a circumference of housing 12, forming atripod-like support structure for providing a stable, freestanding basefor device 10. In this way, an operator may deploy support members 24,26, 28, place device 10 in view of oncoming traffic, and activateemergency lighting assembly 15 such that device 10 operates as anemergency lighting systems alerting other motorists to an emergencysituation, such as a disabled vehicle.

Device 10 further includes a locking mechanism, including an actuator 38(see FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) for selectively securing support members 24, 26,28 in the first and second positions. More specifically, FIGS. 8A-9Billustrate partial perspective views of a locking mechanism, whichincludes support member stops 51 for engaging with a correspondingsupport member 24, 26, 28. In the illustrated embodiment, support memberstops 51 are slidably arranged in a respective aperture 63 of a fixedlocking mechanism base 50. Elastic elements 52 (e.g. coil springs) arearranged between base 50 and each support member stop 51 and act to biassupport member stops 51 radially outward from base 50 in the indicateddirection. Each support member stop 51 comprises a protruding surface 53(see FIG. 8B, wherein support member 26 has been removed for clarity)which interfaces with one of a corresponding recess 54, 55 formed in anend of a respective support member 24, 26, 28. As illustrated in FIGS.8A and 8B, support members 24, 26, 28 are locked in the second or openposition when support member stops 51 are biased radially outward andinto engagement with recesses 55 formed in each of support members 24,26, 28. This engagement, corresponding to a locked position of supportmember stops 51, prevents movement (i.e. collapse) of support members24, 26, 28 relative to housing 12. Likewise, engagement of supportmember stops 51 with recesses 54 secure support members 24, 26, 28 inthe first or closed position.

Referring generally to FIGS. 9A and 9B, support members 24, 26, 28 maybe released from either the first or second position via displacement ofactuator 38. In the exemplary embodiment, actuator 38 is moveablyattached to housing 12 and comprises three fingers 57 extendingtherefrom for engaging with a corresponding one of support member stops51. Biasing actuator 38 via button 39 in the direction indicated byarrow in the figures places fingers 57 of actuator 38 into contact withtapered or ramped surfaces 59 of support member stops 51. As actuator 38is further depressed, fingers 57 displace support member stops 51radially inward with respect to base 50, against the bias of elasticelements 52 until support member stops 51 have been retracted fromengagement with one of recesses 54, 55 formed in respective supportmembers 24, 26, 28. Once support member stops 51 are disengaged,corresponding to an unlocked position, a user may pivot each supportmembers 24, 26, 28 about a pivoting point 65 into a desired positionwhile maintaining pressure on button 39. Releasing button 39 of actuator38 allows support member stops 51 travel radially outward with respectto base 50, and into engagement with the other one of recesses 54, 55.In the exemplary embodiment, actuator 38 is biased into a disengagedposition via an additional elastic element 40 (e.g. a spring) arrangedbetween actuator 38 and base 50.

It should be understood that while a support structure having threesupport members is shown, embodiments of the present disclosure mayinclude any number of support members for providing the device with theability to be freestanding. In one particular embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the support structure may comprise only two support members,wherein an end of the housing may be configured to provide support as athird member of the support structure.

The folding nature of the above-described support members providesnumerous benefits, including a low-profile housing in the closedposition, such that embodiments of the present disclosure may be storedwithin the interior of an automobile (e.g. in a glove box or door-cardpocket). Further, this arrangement provides that the housing may serveas a suitable handle when the device is used for performing theabove-described functions of a tire pressure gauge, flashlight, safetyhammer and seatbelt cutter.

Device 10 has a battery compartment, indicated, referring to FIG. 3,generally at 70, with user-removable battery compartment door 71indicated. Battery compartment 70 is located near second end 16 andbattery compartment door 71 is intermediate support members 26, 28 (andtheir corresponding recesses in the outer surface of housing 12).

Referring again to FIG. 1, control panel 20 includes display 21, by wayof non-limiting examples only, an LCD, LED, or OLED screen fordisplaying measured tire pressure information, as well as deviceoperating status (e.g. battery level, etc.). A mode button 22 may beconfigured to alter, for example, the measurement units of the tirepressure gauge (e.g. psi, kPa, or bar), in addition to altering theflashing mode of emergency lighting assembly 15, as set forth above.Control panel 20 may also be provided with buttons 22′, 22″ for on andoff, and/or mode control of emergency lighting assembly 15 as well asflashlight 18, respectively. In one embodiment, emergency lightingassembly 15 may be configured to automatically turn on when supportmembers 24, 26, 28 are deployed into an open position. By way ofexample, a switch or sensor may be positioned and configured to providea signal to the one or more processors upon deploying of the supportmembers, and the one or more processors may be configured to provideoutput signals to turn on the emergency lighting assembly in response toreceipt of a signal from the switch or sensor.

As can be seen for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, support member 24, 26, 28extend in the first position from second end 16 to a locationintermediate first and second ends of housing 12. Control panel 20 isarranged intermediate a distal end of support member 24 and housingfirst end 14. Emergency lighting assembly 15 is also arranged extendinggenerally to housing first end 14. As housing first end 14 is theuppermost portion of device 10 when the support members are in thesecond position and supporting the devices, emergency lighting assemblyis therefore arranged near the uppermost portion of device 10 when thedevice is standing on deployed support members 24, 26, 28, maximizingvisibility of the lights.

FIG. 4 shows first end 14 of housing 12, including flashlight 18comprising first light sources 19 (e.g. a plurality of LEDs). Device 10may also comprise, for example, a USB port 29. USB port 29 may bearranged in communication with a power supply (e.g. a battery) of device10, such that USB port 29 may be used to charge, for example, a cellularphone. In this way, device 10 may function as a backup power supply asneeded by a user. USB port 29 may also be used as a charging port fordevice 10. More specifically, device 10 may comprise a rechargeableon-board power supply which may be charged via an external charging unit(e.g. an AC/DC adapter, not shown), or an automobile's standard 12vpower supply. As noted, the rechargeable power supply may include one ormore batteries located in battery compartment 70 near housing second end16. In embodiments, removable, single use batteries may be employed toprovide a power supply. Charging device 10 may also be accomplishedthrough a dedicated external power input 23 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of device 10, illustrated witha portion of housing 12 removed. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 12may define a generally hollow structure for accommodating each ofemergency lighting assembly 15, including light sources 17, a pressuresensor 64, display 21, and a power supply 66 (i.e. batteries) in batterycompartment 70. Light sources 17 and a dedicated processor for controlthereof may be arranged on a first printed circuit board (PCB) 68oriented generally on the second side of housing 12. Likewise, acontroller for display 21, associated processing components, as well asany button mechanisms may be arranged on a second PCB 62 arrangedgenerally behind control panel 20 on the first side of housing 12. Asset forth above, device 10 comprises a nozzle 32 is arranged incommunication with a pressure sensor 64.

Referring generally to FIG. 10, a simplified diagram of a sensor andcontrol arrangement is provided according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may becontrolled by one or more processors 80 receiving both user inputs, aswell as inputs from the pressure sensor. “Processor”, as used herein,generally refers to a circuit arrangement that may be contained on oneor more silicon chips, and/or integrated circuit (IC) boards, and thatcontains a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The CPU may generally includean arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logicaloperations, and a control unit, which extracts instructions from memoryand decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.

For example, processor 80 may receive inputs from pressure sensor 64 andgenerate outputs indicative of a value of a measured pressure. Theseoutputs may be provided to a user via display 21. Processor 80 may alsobe responsive to user inputs 84, such as those received via buttons 22,22′, 22″ for controlling one or more of the pressure measuring function,as well as the light sources of emergency lighting assembly 15 andflashlight 18. One or more memory devices 86 may also be incommunication with processors 80. Memory device 86 may be configured tostore, for example, instructions executable by processor 80 forperforming the described device functions, and for storing any measuredpressure readings. Memory device 86 may take the form of one or morerandom-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) chips,by way of further non-limiting example only. Power supply 66, such asone or more batteries, may be provided for powering processor 80, aswell as for powering any or all of the remaining system components. Asset forth above, power supply 66 may comprise a rechargeable powersupply capable of being charged and recharged via an external powerinput 23. Likewise, power supply 66 may operate as a charging source fora cellular phone via a USB port 29.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention may includeany number of additional components not shown in the simplifiedschematic of FIG. 10 for the purposes of brevity. For example, theoutputs the pressure sensor may comprise an analog signal which may beprovided to one or more analog to digital converters (ADCs) before beinginput to processor 80. Likewise, the output from processor 80 mayprovide appropriate control signals either directly to display 21, or toa display driver that subsequently provides for control of the display.For any mode of operation, a hold circuit may be used to hold a measuredreading in memory, and/or on display 21 for a period of time after ameasurement has been taken, allowing a user time to analyze theinformation after taking a measurement.

It should be understood that while in one embodiment an aperture may beprovided in a support member having a profile corresponding to thehammer head and the cutting blade guard, in other embodiments, a supportmember may have an aperture having a profile corresponding to anotherelement. By way of example, in an embodiment, a support member may havea profile corresponding to the nozzle. In an embodiment, the controlpanel or one or more elements of the control panel, may be arrangedadjacent the second end of the device, and a support member may have aprofile corresponding to the display and/or one or more user controls onthe control panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting tool isarranged in radial registration with the hammer head; in otherembodiments, the cutting tool may be arranged in another locationrelative to the hammer head.

In the illustrated embodiment, battery compartment 70, nozzle 32 andhammer head 30 are located generally near second end 16. Second end 16is the lower end of the device 10 when the support members are deployedin the second position. The relatively heavy elements, including thebatteries, the metal hammer head and the nozzle, which may be of metal,are positioned near a lower end of device 10, thereby providing a lowercenter of mass to the device than otherwise, and promoting stability ofthe device. In addition, the mass of the batteries and the nozzle nearthe same end as the hammer head provides for a greater moment of inertiawhen the user grips the device near the opposite end while using thedevice as a hammer, thereby facilitating the function of breaking glass.

FIGS. 11A-12B illustrate an embodiment of the present disclosure havingan alternate freestanding support arrangement. Automotive safety device100 may include, without limitation, any or all of the features setforth above with respect to FIGS. 1-10. For example, housing 72comprises a generally elongated profile having a first end 74 and asecond end 76. First end 74 may be configured to house a flashlight foremitting light in a generally axial direction with respect to housing72. Second end 76 of housing 72 may include an emergency hammer head 30,and an emergency cutting tool 11 including a protective guard 35. Device100 may also include a tire pressure gauge, including a nozzle 32arranged on second end 76 of housing 72. An emergency lighting assembly15 may also be provided. It should be understood that the function andcontrol of each of these elements may be similar to that set forth abovewith respect to the previous embodiments of the present disclosure.

The exemplary freestanding support arrangement of device 100 includes aremovable support assembly 78. Support assembly 78 includes, by way ofexample only, support members or legs 93, 94, 95 rotatably attached to asupport base 90 via, for example, pins 92 arranged through support base90 and each support member 93, 94, 95. Support members 93, 94, 95 aremoveable between a first or closed position (not shown), and a second oropen position, shown in FIG. 11A. In the first position, device 100 maytake on substantially the same profile as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5,wherein support members 93, 94, 95 are arranged generally parallel to anelongated surface of housing 72. Support member 93, as shown for examplein FIG. 11A, is configured with elongated parallel portions having a gaptherebetween configured to receive safety hammer 30 when in the firstposition. Likewise, support members 93, 94, 95 may be disposed incorresponding recesses 99 formed within housing 72 such that housing 72retains a generally uniform profile when support members 93, 94, 95 areoriented in the first position.

Support assembly 78 may be configured to be attachable to housing 72 inat least two configurations, each representing a unique orientation ofsupport base assembly 78 with respect to housing 72. For example, in afirst configuration shown in FIG. 11A, support base 90 comprises a firstside 91 (FIG. 11B) abutting a surface of second end 76 of housing 72. Inthis first configuration, support members 93, 94, 95 may be arranged inthe first position, achieving a uniform profile suitable for operatingthe device as, for example, a flashlight, safety hammer, seat beltcutting tool, or tire pressure gauge, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

In order to utilize the device as a free-standing emergency light, thesupport members may be biased (e.g. rotated) into the second position,and the support assembly reoriented into a second configuration withrespect to the housing. More specifically, with support assembly 78 inthe first configuration, operation of device 100 as a freestandingemergency light includes the steps of biasing support members 93, 94, 95into the second position (FIG. 11A) and detaching removable supportassembly 78 from housing 72 of device 100 (FIG. 11B). Once detached,removable support assembly 78, including support base 90 and supportmembers 93, 94, 95, may be reoriented (e.g. rotated 180 degrees, orinverted) with respect to housing 72 (FIG. 11C) and rejoined therewith(FIG. 11D) to define the second configuration of attachment of supportbase 90 to housing 72. In the second configuration, a second side 98(FIG. 11C) of support base 90, opposite first side 91, abuts a surfaceof second end 76 of housing 72. In this second configuration, supportmembers 93, 94, 95 may be oriented in the second position, forming atripod-like support structure for providing a stable, freestanding basefor device 100. Support members 93, 94, 95 may be maintained in adesired angular position by, for example, a mechanical positive stopformed on a surface of each support member. For example, positive stop97 may comprise a generally planar surface configured to abut acorresponding surface of support base 90 when support members 93, 94, 95are oriented in the second position, and the weight of device 100 isplaced thereon such as when function in the described freestandingmanner.

In one exemplary embodiment, support base 90 and housing 72 areremovably attached via a corresponding protrusion 75 and aperture 96formed on second end 76 of housing 72 and support base 90, respectively.Protrusion 75 and aperture 96 may be sized such that a friction fit isformed therebetween when protrusion 75 is inserted into aperture 96. Inthis way, no additional mechanisms are required to removably securesupport base 90 to housing 72. In one embodiment, protrusion 75 andaperture 96 may be formed with complementary non-circular profiles,which may include, for example, a key or rib-like protrusion 103 and acomplementary keyway or slot 102 formed on protrusion 75 and aperture96, respectively. This arrangement ensures that support assembly 78 canonly be secured to housing 72 in a predetermined angular orientation andcannot be rotated with respect to housing 72 once installed. It shouldbe understood that any number of alternate aperture and protrusionprofiles, alternately defined on or in support base 90 and housing 72,may be used to achieve this non-rotatable positioning without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, other mechanicalfeatures, by way of non-limiting example only, snap features orcorresponding protrusions and recesses, may be used to secure supportbase 90 to housing 72 without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. In other embodiments, a circular protrusion and correspondingaperture may be used, allowing for angular adjustment of the supportassembly 78 relative to housing 72. This rotatable connection may beuseful for providing added flexibility in orienting support members 93,94, 95 and/or aiming emergency lighting assembly 15 in a desiredfashion.

Referring generally to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an exemplary removable supportassembly 78 is shown in greater detail. Removable support assembly 78including support base 90 and support members 93, 94, 95 are shown inFIG. 12A oriented in the first position. In FIG. 12B, support member 94has been removed for clarity. As set forth above, support members 93,94, 95 may be rotatably or pivotally attached to support base 90 via,for example, a pivot pin 92 arranged through corresponding aperturesformed in each support member 93, 94, 95 as well as support base 90.Each support member 93, 94, 95 may comprise a mechanical stop 97,embodied herein as a generally planar surface, configured to cooperatewith a corresponding structure on support base 90 to limit the rotationof each support member in order to achieve a desired angular orientationin the second position. Additional mechanical stop elements, such asprotruding surfaces 105, may be formed on either support members 93, 94,95, or on support base 90, for engaging with a corresponding recess 101formed in a respective one of support base 90 or support members 93, 94,95, for retaining support members 93, 94, 95 in any desired angularposition, such as the first and/or second positions set forth herein.Aperture 96 includes a keyway or slot 102 formed therein and configuredto accept a complementary rib on protrusion 75 or key-like surfaceformed on a portion of housing 72, ensuring that support base 90 canonly be secured to housing 72 in a predetermined angular orientation andcannot be rotated with respect to housing 72 once engaged therewith.

Support member 93, 94, 95 are each of substantially equal length andhave proximal ends 113, 114, 115 and distal ends 123, 124, 125 as shownin FIG. 12A. Distal ends 123, 124, 125 each have beveled surfaces 133,134, 135 that function as feet. Beveled surfaces 133, 134, 134 may bepatterned, such as by steps as shown, grooves, ribs, knobs, or otherfeatures to provide a surface that resists sliding on uneven surfaces.When support members 93, 94, 95 are extended as shown in FIG. 11D,beveled surfaces 133, 134, 135 are generally radially equidistant from acenter of housing 72 and sit generally in a plane orthogonal to a majoraxis of housing 72. The combination of the radial separation of beveledsurfaces or feet 133, 134, 135 from the center of housing 72, thedownward force of the weight of housing 72, and the configuration ofbeveled surfaces 133, 134, 135, including their orientation generally ina plane orthogonal to the major axis of housing 72, as well as theirpatterned surfaces, serve to support device 100 on any generally flatsurface, such as a highway shoulder.

While three legs or support members 93, 94, 95 are shown in theillustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, more than four legs may bepivotally attached to the support base. In other embodiments, two legsmay be pivotally attached to the support base, and may have laterallydeployable members to provide a freestanding stable support structure.

The exemplary illustrations are provided by way of example only, andother embodiments for implementing the processes described herein may becontemplated by one of skill in the pertinent art without departing fromthe intended scope of this disclosure. For example, the processes may beimplemented, by way of example, by memory containing instructions, theinstructions when executed by a processor, cause the steps of thedescribed methods for measuring tire pressure to be performed. It isunderstood that these may also be performed in hardware. Thus, theentire process or any part thereof, may be performed in hardware,software or any combination of hardware and/or software. Software may beembodied in a non-transitory machine readable medium upon which softwareinstructions may be stored, the stored instructions when executed by aprocessor cause the processor to perform the steps of the methodsdescribed herein.

While the foregoing invention has been described with reference to theabove-described embodiment, various modifications and changes can bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,all such modifications and changes are considered to be within the scopeof the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and the drawingsare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations of variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive safety device comprising: ahousing; a support assembly removably attachable to the housing, thesupport assembly comprising: a support base configured for attachment tothe housing in a first configuration having a first orientation withrespect to the housing and in a second configuration having a secondorientation with respect to the housing, the support base comprising anaperture for engaging with a corresponding protruding surface formed onthe housing for attaching the support base to the housing in the firstand second configurations; and a plurality of support members pivotallyattached to the support base and moveable between a first position and asecond position, the support members being arranged along an outersurface of the housing in the first position when the support base isattached to the housing in the first configuration, and extendingoutward from the housing in the second position, whereby the supportassembly defines a freestanding support structure when the support baseis attached to the housing in the second configuration; a first lightsource arranged on the housing; and at least one processor arranged onthe housing and in communication with the first light source; whereinthe at least one processor is configured to control the output of thefirst light source.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: apressure sensor arranged on the housing; a nozzle arranged on thehousing and in communication with the pressure sensor, the nozzleconfigured to engage a valve of a pneumatic tire and to provide a fluidcommunication path between an engaged valve and the pressure sensor; anda display arranged on the housing and in communication with the at leastone processor; wherein the at least one processor is arranged incommunication with the pressure sensor and is configured to output avalue on the display indicative of a pressure measured by the pressuresensor.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises agenerally elongated profile, and wherein the first light source isarranged on a side of the housing and configured to emit light generallyradially away from the housing.
 4. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a second light source arranged on an end of the housing andconfigured to emit light generally axially with respect to the housing.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the support base is removably attachedto an end of the housing.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the apertureand protruding surface comprise complementary profiles configured toprevent the rotation of the support base relative to the housing whenattached in the first and second configurations.
 7. The device of claim1, wherein the support base comprises a first side and a second sideopposite the first side, the first side configured to abut an end of thehousing in the first configuration and the second side configured toabut an end of the housing in the second configuration.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the support base and the supportmembers comprise a mechanical stop for securing the support members inthe second position.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising ahammer head arranged on the housing, wherein one of the support memberscomprises an aperture formed therein which corresponds in profile to thehammer head.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the hammer head isarranged on the housing generally opposite to the nozzle.
 11. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the support base comprises a first side and a secondside, the first side configured to abut the housing in the firstconfiguration and the second side configured to abut the housing in thesecond configuration.
 12. An automotive safety device, comprising: ahousing; a support assembly removably attachable to the housing, thesupport assembly comprising: a support base configured for attachment tothe housing in a first configuration having a first orientation withrespect to the housing and in a second configuration having a secondorientation with respect to the housing; and a plurality of supportmembers pivotally attached to the support base and moveable between afirst position and a second position, the support members being arrangedalong an outer surface of the housing in the first position when thesupport base is attached to the housing in the first configuration, andextending outward from the housing in the second position, whereby thesupport assembly defines a freestanding support structure when thesupport base is attached to the housing in the second configuration; afirst light source arranged on the housing; and at least one processorarranged on the housing and in communication with the first lightsource, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control theoutput of the first light source; and a cutting tool arranged on thehousing, the cutting tool comprising a blade and a guard, wherein one ofthe support members comprises an aperture formed therein whichcorresponds in profile to the guard.
 13. The device of claim 12, furthercomprising a hammer head arranged on the housing on a same side as thecutting tool, wherein the aperture in the one of the support memberscorresponds in profile to the guard and the hammer head.
 14. The deviceof claim 13, wherein: the housing has a first end and a second end; thesupport base attached to the housing at the housing second end and thesupport members extending in the first position from the second end, thedistal ends of the support members being intermediate the first andsecond housing ends; and the display is arranged on a side of thehousing opposite to the nozzle and intermediate the housing first endand the distal end of at least one of the support members.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the hammer head is at the housing secondend, and a battery compartment is arranged within the housing near thehousing second end.
 16. A safety light comprising: an elongated housinghaving a first end and a second end; a support assembly configured forattachment to the second end of the housing and comprising: a baseremovably attachable to the second end of the housing, the baseconfigured to attach to the housing in a first orientation and a secondorientation, the base comprising an aperture for engaging with acorresponding protruding surface formed on the housing for attaching thebase to the housing in the first and second orientations; and aplurality of legs pivotally attached to the base and moveable between afirst position and a second position, the legs being arranged along anouter surface of the housing in the first position when the base isattached to the second end of the housing in the first orientation, andextending outward from the housing in the second position to define afreestanding support structure when the base is attached to the secondend of the housing in the second orientation; a first light sourcearranged on a side of the housing and configured to emit light generallyradially away from the housing; a second light source arranged at thefirst end of the housing and configured to emit light generally axiallywith respect to the housing; and at least one processor configured tocontrol the output of the first light source.
 17. The light of claim 16,further comprising a hammer head arranged on a side of the housing atthe second end, one of the legs being configured to receive the hammerhead when arranged along the outer surface of the housing.
 18. The lightof claim 17, further comprising a pressure sensor; a nozzle arranged ona side of the housing at the second end and opposite the hammer head,the nozzle configured to engage a valve of a pneumatic tire and toprovide a fluid communication path between an engaged valve and thepressure sensor; a display on a side of the housing opposite the nozzleand the first light source and intermediate the first and second ends ofthe housing; and a processor in communication with the processor and thedisplay and configured to output a value on the display indicative of ameasured pressure.
 19. The light of claim 18, further comprising atleast one mechanical stop for fixing the plurality of legs in one of thefirst or second positions.
 20. The light of claim 19, further comprisinga battery compartment arranged within the housing near the second end ofthe housing.